Tourist&#39;s auto camping outfit



May 25 1926. 1,585,814

I F. E.ALLEN TGURISTS AUTO CAMPING OUTFIT Filed April 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 H lyi.

ll-i

F. E. ALLEN May 25 192s.

TOURISTS AUTO CAMPING OUTFIT Filed April 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 6m: new

May 25 1926. 1,585,814 7 F. E. ALLEN TOURISTS AUTO CAMPING OUTFIT Filed April 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 25 1926. Q 1,585,814 v F. E. ALLEN TOURISTS AUTO CAMPING OUTFIT Filed April 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 25, 1926.

UNITE sra'rs lessen Hermes;

FRANK n. ALLEN, or sT. CLAIR, MICHIGAN, assrenon or ONE-HALF To WILLIAM n. THoMrsOn, or PORT HURON, MICHIGAN.

ToUnrsT's AUTO cAMrIne- OUTFIT.

Application filed April 25, 1925. Serial No. 25,888.

the box or case, this case being adapted tobe carried upon the running board of an automobile or on the rear of the running board.

A further object is to provide a tourist camping outfit of this character including a table suitable for two or four people, a

cabinet for dishes and provisions, a cot for two people also, a tent which foldsup with- 50 in the case and the supporting structure therefor, the case being so constructed as to provide room for foldable cots for two people and for folding chairs for tour people.

55 A still further object is to provide a st ucture of this character which is simple, compact, may be readily unfolded and set up and as readily folded, and in'which the tent is formed of sections of canvas supported upon and folda-ble with the frame, the sections being engaged with each other and with the case by snap fasteners or like means.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of an automobile showing the case with which my camping outfit is disposed mounted upon 0 the running board of the automobile;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the case showing the tent supports unfolded from the case and ready for the canvas;

Figure 3 is an elevation of the case and a 5 transverse section of the tent supports;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the case and the tent supports;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the case and a portion of the 0 tent supports partly folded;

Figure 6 is a vertical section through one of the stringers showing the manner in which the rafter section are folded;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the members 22 showing the manner in which the other member 22 is joined thereto; v

Figure 8 is a fragmentary transverse section through the peak of the roof showing the manner in which the two sections are connectedto each other at the peak;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front elevation of the case section Y showing the manner in which the tent supporting sections are folded within the case;

Figure 10 is atop plan view of the tent and a portion of the case; I

Figure 11 is a'rear elevation ofthe tent and a portion of the case;

Figure 12 is a front elevation of the tent;

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the tent and'case;

Figure 14 is a horizontal section through the section Y of the case showing the table, the cabinets and the bed folded-up within the section Y;

Figure 15 is a face view-of the lower section of the case, the upper section not being shown, showing the table opened out but the cabinets closed;

Figure 16 is a vertical section on the line 16-16 of Figure 15;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary one wall of the box section Ysho'wing the upper end of one of the slots I Figure 17 is a side elevation of the section Y of the case showing the bed'opened out;

Figure 18 is a fragmentarytop plan view of the forward portion of the bed;

Figure 19 is an elevation of the case showing the bed or cot unfolded. v

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that one portion of the structure comprises a case made after the general fashion of a suit case. this case. being formed with two rectangular sections X and Y having their I proximate, side walls hinged to each other,

as at 10, and having latches 11 whereby the. two sections of the case may vbeheld closed or whereby the two sections ofthe case may be held in open position, one above the other. When in use the case rests upon a bottom wall and the side walls of the case and the top wall are provided with snap fastener members 12 and 13 by which the canvas is detachably engaged with the two sections of the case. inches wide, thirty inches high and twelve elevation of This case may be fifty-two inches deep, though any other dimensions may be used, the dimensions, given above being the average dimensions.

Hinged to the end walls 14: of the section X so as to swing in and out parallel to the top of the section Xa-re the stringers formed of two sections 15 and 16, the section 15 being hinged to the end walls of the case 14, as previously stated, by the hinges 17. There are two stringers disposed at-each end of the case, and the two sections 15 and 16 ofeaoh stringers are hinged to each other, as at 18, sothat the-stringer may be folded upon itself and then folded into the case. Hingedly connected to the stringcr'sections 1-5 and 16 are the foldable rafters formed by the sections 19 and 20,-the sections 19 being the'outsi'de sections and extending from the stringers to the eaves of the roof, and the sections 20'bei-ng the inner sections and extending from the stringers to the peak of the roof. All of the sections 20 of the stringer sections 16 are connected to a longitudinally extending member 21, while all of the sections 20 co'nnectedto the stringer section 15 are connected to a longitudinal member 22. Allof. thesections 19 of the stringer sections 15 are hinged to. a longitudinal member 23 and all of the rafter sections 19 which are hinged to the stringersections'16 are'connected to a longitudinal member 2 1-. These members 23 and 2t-are hinged to each other, as at 25, and the members 21 and 22 are likewise hinged to each other, as at 25. When the sections 15. and 16..are:turned into parallel relation, the members 23 and 24 will be likewise turned into parallel relation, ,as will the members .21 and 22, assuming that the rafter sections 1.9 and 20 are swung down into parallel relation. Under these circumstancesthis section of the roof supporting .structuremay be folded into the case and the other half section also folded into the-case on top of thefirst named section, as. illustrated in Figure 9.

The members ,21-and 22 of thetwo sections ofthe. roof meet atv the ridge of the roof ;sets of members21 and 22 by means of wire ties28 and 29 which are connected to the stringers and at their inner ends-are formed with coacting hooks and eyes, as at 30 (see Figure 3). Any number ofthese ties m y be used along the length; of the stringers and when it is desired to fold up the two halves of the-roof supporting structurethese ties are 'eleased from each other and folded.

stringers are unfolded so asto support the tent these .ties are engaged with each other, as illustrated in Figure 3.

Preferablythe inner ends of both stringers formed of the members 15 and 16 are sup ported by brackets 30, which brackets are hinged at 31 to the side wall of the box or casing so that the brackets swing inward with the stringers. It will be noted from Figure i that the section 21 on one-half of the roof supporting structure is longer than the corresponding section of the other half of the roof supporting structure and that the section 22 on the other half is longer than the same section on the first named half so that these sections when brought together break joints, as illustrated in Figure at.

For the purpose of supporting the stringers and the members 23 and 2st, 1 provide a plurality of extensible supports each formed of two sections 32 and these two sections overlapping each other and having sliding-engagement upon each other by means of the clips 34: which are attached to one section and embrace the other section. These members 32 and 33 are held in adjusted position by a lever clamp 35 which, when turned down, jams the two sections 32 and 33 against each other and holds the sec tions in their adjusted positions. These sections at their upper ends are formed to engage with the members 15 and 16 and 23 and 24- on the sides and ends of the supporting structure. These adjustable supports formed of the sections 32 and 33 are adapted to be disposed beneath the closed top in the section X, as shown in Figurel.

The section Y is intended to contain a cabinet likewise formed in two sections hinged to the end walls of the case, a table top, legs therefor, .and a fol'da'ble cot. To this end there is hinged to the end walls of the lower section Y of the case the two cabinet sections 36 and-37 (see l igure 15). Both these sections are alike. Each extends half the length of the section Y and each has a depth less than the depth of the section Y so that there is a space between the backs of the cabinet sections 36 and 37 and the back of thecase when the cabinet sections are turned into closed position. The front of each cabinet section is formed with a plurality of shelves 38 and compartments with in which food, clothing or any other desired material-may be placed. These cabinet sections are hinged at 39 to the end walls of the section Y of the case-so as to swing outward entirely out of the way and disclose the space behind these cabinet sections, a cot being adapted to be disposed behind these cabinet sections, as will be later explained.

The end walls of the section Y are formed from a point adjacent the bottom of the section about half way of the height of the lit] section each with a vertically extending slot and the upper end of this slot being extended rearward and downward, as at 41. A table top 42 is provided with trunnions 43 which operate within these slots 40. These trunnions 48 are disposed at-the inner edge of the table top. Therefore,'this table top may be turned to a position ez-ztcnding en-' tirely across the front of section Y, as shown y in Figure 14, or brought up to the top of the slots and disengaged through openings 44 or carried back 1nto the portions 41 of the slots and thus the inner edge of the position and the legs will be depressed and rest upon the ground, it being understood that the bottom of the section Y of the case rests not upon the ground but upon'an elevated support as, for instance, the running board of the automobile or the rear portion of the frame of the automobile where trunks are supported or carried. The lower ends of the end walls of the section Y of the box; are each formed with a slot 48 which extends upward and forward at a slight angle and then extends straight downward. This is for supporting a. cot, as will now be described.

The cot structure is also foldable and comprises the end members 49 and 50, these end members constituting two sections hinged together at 51, the hinge being such that the sections 49 may be folded over upon the sections 50. A middle supporting member is also formed of the sections 52 and 53 hinged at 54 and to the sections are pivoted the legs 55 and to the section 52 the legs 56, the legs being disposed one on each side of the section 52. Rails 5? connect the legs 55 with the legs 56. Thus each section has a leg 56, a leg 55 and a rail 57. Pivoted to the forward ends of the sections 49 are the legs 58 and to the forward end of the rail 53 are the legs 59, these legs being connected by transverse rails 60. An extension frame 61 is also hingedly connected to the forward ends of the members 49 and 53 and is supported by braces 62 hingedly connected to the xtension member and adapted to engage the legs 58. This extension member 61 is adapted to be folded over upon the face of the front section of the cot. This cot is intended to be covered with canvas and to provide room for two people. The canvas is designated 63 and may be attached in any suitable manner to the frame of the cot. The inner ends of the members 50 and 5 are connected by means of a rail. 64,! to

50 being provided with outwardly projecting trunnions 65 engageable in the slots 48. Thus after the bed is folded up it may be shifted to the rear of the case section Y to permit the closing of the cabinet doors.

Obviously, when the cot is in use the table must be put out of the way and, therefore, I provide the entrance openings 44 to the slots 41 which permit the table trunnions 43 to be removed from their engagement with the slots 40 and 41 and to be engaged with downwardly and rearwardly extending slots 66 and the table disposed in the upper box section X, wherein it fits, thus permitting the cot to be utilized. The cot, when folded up, occupies the rear portion of the section Y and, therefore, as space is left beneath the swinging cabinets 36 which may be utilized for storing clothing or for any other purpose as, for instance, the storing of'folding camp chairs or stools. While I have illustrated a cot formed of canvas, springs might be used and a folding cot not connected to the casing mi -ht be disposed in this space.

The canvas covering is also formed in sections and is intended to be permanently Y attached to the outside faces of the side walls and the top wall of the upper section of the case preferably by means of the snap fastener members 12 and 13 previously referred to. The canvas is cut to form two sections A and B, these. sections being substantially alike. The section B is formed to provide one-half of the roof (Z and to extend down at the side of the tent structure, as at Z), and the forward edge of this portion 6 is provided with snap fasteners 67. Attached to the forward end of the roof section (Z is Y the flap e which extends downward and covers one-half of the forward end of the tent.

This flap 6 is provided on one margin with snap fastener members coacting with the snap fastener members 67 on the portion 0 and fits over this portion 0. The corresponding roof section 0? of the section A of the tent also has a flap 6 extending down ward but this flap laps beneath the flap 6 end is engaged therewith by snap fastener members 67. The roof portion d extends beyond theridge of the roof and beneath the upper margin of the portion (Z and these two sections are connected by snap fastner members 68. The rear end of each section Z) and b is laterally extended inward toward the casing and then engaged at its margin with the case by the snap fastener members previously described, and the same is true of the section A. The rear portion of the roof portoins (Z and cl is extended down- .'-;'ard, as at f, and then extended along the top wall and engaged with the snap fastener members 13. The same is true of-the rear end of the roof portion cl.

It will be noticed that the canvas is not fastened to the top at all but buttons on the the ease up each side and over the case. It also buttons up at the corners, and up the center front, and the roof pieces lap each other and button to one side of the ridge of the roof so that there is no chance for rain to get it at this ridge.

Tofold up this tent, the tie rods 28 and 29 are unhooked and the ridge pole sections 21 and .22 are pulled .apart from each other so as to release the engagement between the clips 27 and the tongues 26. These sections are then allowed to drop down. The canvas is then unbuttoned up the front and across the top and along the ridge and the next step is to unbutton the front corners andfold the The sections and 16 and the sections 23, 24,

21 and 22 may be then folded upon each other and the whole supporting structure of the tent is adapted to be folded into the top section of the case. Assuming that the cot has been folded .up, the swinging cabinets closed and thetable folded up, then the two sections of'the case may be folded together and closed and the case is ready for further travel. The reverse steps are carried out when'it is desired to unfold the tent and erect the tent supporting structure.

lVhile I have illustrated a construction which I believe to'be particularly effective, I do not wish to be limited to the details thereof as these might be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim An automobile camping outfit including a box adapted to be carried on an automobile running board and formed of two hingedly connected sections adapted to be turned into superposed vertical relation, a tent supporting structure having foldable members hinged to the end walls of the upper section of the box and foldable thereinto, said foldaible members supporting transversely extending foldable members hinged to the first named members, and a tent detachably connected to the box and formed to fit over said tent supporting structure.

2. An automobile camping outfit including a box adapted to be carried on an auto mobile running board and formed of two hingcdly connected sections adapted to be turned into superposed vertical relation, a

tent supporting structure including longitudinally extending stringers formed in a plurality of hinged sections, one of the end sec tions being hinged to the side walls of the box, rafter members formed in sections and hingedly connected to the stringers, longitudinally extending members parallel to the stringers and connected to the ends of the rafter members and formed in a plurality of sections,.1neans for supporting the stringers and said last named members from the ground, and a tent detachably connected to the box and formed to fit over said tent supporting structure.

3. An automobile camping outfit including a box adapted to be carried on an auto mobile running board and formed of twc hingedly connected sections adapted to be turned into superposed vertical relation, a tent supporting structure including longitudinally extending stringers formed in a plurality of hinged sections, one of the end sections being hinged to the side walls of the box, rafter members formed in sections and hingedly connected to the stringers, longitu dinally extending members parallel to the stringers and connected to the ends of the rafter members and formed in a plurality of sections. longitudinally adjustable supports adapted to be disposed beneath the stringers and beneath the last named members to sup port the same, and a tent detachably connected to the box and formed to fit over said tent supporting structure.

4. An automobile camping out-fit including a box adapted to be carried on an automobile running board and formed of two hingedly connected sections, a tent supporting structure including a pair of stringers, each formed in two hingedly connected sections, the inner ends of each stringer being hingedly connected to the sides of the box whereby the stringers may be folded up within the box. rafters, each formed of two sections hinged to the stringers and adapted to be turned into an approximately horizontal position or into parallel relation to the stringers, ridge pole members connected to the inner ends of each set of rafters and formedof two hingedy connected sections, means on the ridge pole members for detachably connecting them, eaves members connected to the outer ends of the rafters and each formed of two hingedly connected sections whereby the several members may be folded up and folded within the box section, vertically adjustable supports adapted to be disposed beneath the stringers and the eaves sections, and a tent structure (.letachably connected to the side and top wall of the box and formed of two sections of canvas detachably engaged with each other.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

FRANK E. ALLEN. 

